Green roofs and walls have growing popularity both in commercial and residential applications. In addition to their unique aesthetics, the benefits of the technology can be measured in a variety of ways.

Ecological/environmental

Stormwater management: Depending on the design, storm water run-off is reduced by 50 to 90%, which lessens the impact on existing sewer systems.

Reduction of dust and smog levels: Green roof vegetation filters airborne particles. Contaminants are filtered from the air and absorbed into the soil.

Reduced noise levels: Extensive green roofs (short vegetation) reduce reflective sound by up to three dB and improve sound insulation by up to eight dB. This is particularly important with buildings near airports, factories or busy roads.

Therapy and health: Hospitals and health facilities utilize the therapeutic benefits of green roofs. These facilities sometimes use gardening as a tool to enhance the healing process for patients. Plus, the person can enjoy the comfort, fresh air, and landscape while restoring their health.

Owner benefits

Reduction of capital costs: Industrial companies or other businesses build green roofs to reduce costs on energy and roof upkeep. Green roofs insulate and protect buildings (e.g. weather conditions and sun’s U.V. radiation), which reduces energy consumption and increases the durability and longevity of the roof.

Addition of Usable Space: Property value is increased when the building’s roof is repurposed as an attractive and amenity for the building's occupants. As a recreational space, green roofs can help improve their well-being and overall health. The opportunity also exists to grow edibles for an employee garden or onsite restaurant kitchen.

Building Incentives: Many government agencies offer incentives to help offset the costs. In a September 2009 Gizmag article, a recent study was cited that demonstrates a direct correlation between green roofs and the reduction of CO2.

"[R]esearchers have attempted to quantify the benefits of covering urban rooftops with plants. The scientists found that replacing traditional roofing materials with ‘green’ in an urban area the size of Detroit with a population of about one-million, would be equivalent to eliminating a year's worth of carbon dioxide emitted by 10,000 mid-sized SUVs and trucks. Their study is the first to examine the ability of green roofs to sequester carbon that may impact climate change and the findings are scheduled to appear in the journal Environmental Science & Technology."

Before any construction can take place, it is very important to hire licensed structural engineers or architects to determine if the site can support a green roof. These consultants will analyze the building and roof to find the following information to complete the structural analysis. (Green Roofs for Healthy Cities)

Building: Position and structural weight loading capacity

Existing Roof: Type of roof membrane, year of installation, current condition (Are there any leaks or damage that need to be repaired?), height above ground, roof pitch (slope), and orientation

Is there electrical and water supply in place?

Is the roof accessible for installation and maintenance? Determined by the type of green roof that is in place.

The company chosen to design and install your green roof should be based on the following:

Experience and expertise

Design features offered

Costs

Landscape contractors usually design and install green roofs.

2) Obtain required permits from the Department of Construction and Permits

Permits needed for building a green roof can vary from city to city due to differences in climate, zoning, and building codes. It is the owner’s responsibility to be familiar with their particular communities’ zoning laws and building codes.

Note: Portland, Oregon, and Chicago, Illinois are two cities in the United States that offer incentives to build green roofs. These incentives may make the permits more accessible to those interested.

3) Determine the type of green roof

The type of green roof is determined by the load that the building can support. The structural engineer or architect can help decide which type of system is best suited to your facility based on the structural analysis of the building

Green roof plants are selected based the type of green roof selected, soil depth, loading capacity, climate, type of irrigation system, and height and slope of the roof itself.

Extensive green roofs: Plants such as sedums and prairie flowers are utilized because they are low to the ground, will not be destroyed by nesting birds, require less maintenance (requiring occasional weeding and watering) and can tolerate almost any kind of weather conditions.

Intensive green roofs: Allow for a greater variety of plants including hardy perennials, native flowers, shrubs, and even trees. These plants require regular maintenance including watering and weeding.

Drought-tolerant succulents are great plants for green roofs.

5) Determine if irrigation system is needed

Whether your green roof is the extensive or intensive type, it is important to determine the type of irrigation system needed. Often the green roof installation company will know how to install the appropriate irrigation system for your type of green roof, but if not, you can hire a licensed irrigation specialist or contractor to design and install the watering system for your green roof.

Irrigation system need is determined by:

Green roof type: extensive or intensive

Climate

Vegetation planted

6) Understand your costs and create a budget

Although the initial costs of installing a green roof are greater than a conventional roof system, the long-term benefits and the energy savings outweigh its original investment. The costs of your green roof will depend upon the design of the green roof such as the type (extensive or intensive), climate, and plant selection.

Depending on the green roof technology used initial cost for a green roof is:

Plants: Plant production costs are higher in the United States than in Europe because green roof technology is relatively new here.

Maintenance: Initial and long-term maintenance costs depend on the size and type of green roof installed. For example, extensive green roofs require regular maintenance for the first 6-12 months to establish plants. Following establishment, watering, and weeding once a season is sufficient.

Transportation of materials and services: Materials for the still-new technology must sometimes be imported. Design/build professionals are limited.

Professional assistance and permits: The zoning and building codes are different in every city.

The vertical option: green walls

Green walls use plantable, modular panels much like those used with green roofs. The lightweight panels consist of heavy-duty frames that hold durable, UV resistant plant cells. The cells may be either pre-planted with established plants, or planted in place. With rugged construction and easy installation and care, the unique gardening option is a perfect choice for those looking to add greenery to small spaces or to expand their gardening options in a unique and exciting way.

Green wall units are specially designed to allow irrigation water to flow through the panel without flushing out the soil along with it.

Soil Recommendations:

The type of soil used in a green wall unit will depend primarily on plant type chosen for the living wall. Both indoor and outdoor plants benefit from a quality, general-purpose potting soil that is firmly packed into the cell and around the plant roots. Vertical gardens can also be grown without soil providing plenty of water is available to plants.

Interested in working together? We'd love to talk with you! Email us @ BluestemServices@gmail.com, or just give us a call at 573.230.1196.

As I write this, a male cardinal is snacking on the vibrant red berries of our native Deciduous Holly (Ilex decidua). He loves the berries, but he also appreciates the cover from the holly grove's dense branching. We have a suite of birdfeeders, but somehow it's more satisfying to see birds dining on seeds and berries al fresco .

So, obviously one of my top five reasons for a sustainable home landscape is watchable wildlife (#1) . But, you should know when you invite wildlife into your yard you may see sex and violence. Several years back, a client called to tell me how distraught she was that her children saw a black snake eat a mouse in her backyard.

"Yes, ma'am. That's a great lesson for them on the food chain."

Click.

Hey, bringing nature home isn't all Disney. But, with natural plant and animal diversity (#2) come natural predators that are healthier for the environment--and healthier for us than chemical pesticides, herbicides and, fungicides. Think ladybugs, praying mantis, toads and more. And, related to this are natural pollinators including butterflies, bees and, hummingbirds.

Being water-wise is next (#3). I'm sure our water bill is far less than some in our neighborhood with thirsty non-natives that are out of their element. The way we've landscaped to slow, absorb and filter stormwater also helps--with a broad bioswale buffer filled with native grasses and woodies and permeable gravel strips. We're part of the solution to saving our local watershed along with those who have redirected downspouts to rain gardens and rain barrels. Household water costs will rise 40% within the next five years making affordable water inaccessible to 1/3 of American households. Do you think people would rather water plants or themselves?

High-risk areas likely to face affordability challenges are those with a median income below $32,000.

Image by Mack EA and Wrase S, 2017, PLoS ONE

I'd be lying if I didn't admit I love the fact that our landscape is admired by the neighbors (#4). But, that's not just because of the sustainability issues. Although a survey conducted by the American Society of Landscape Architects found a high demand for landscape sustainabiity. It's also because our design is a native interpretation with design intent. And, that helps give the natural connection (#5) that we all crave and need. Recent studies from the University of Kansas and University of Michigan found that over 70% of people feel they've lost touch with nature. One finding showed children aged eight to 18 spend nearly eight hours daily in front of screens. This disconnect leads to depression, reduced attention span, lower self-esteem, stunted academic growth and a lessened empathy for the environment.

No wonder watching our resident cardinal makes me feel so good!

Interested in working together? We'd love to talk with you! Email us @ BluestemServices@gmail.com, or just give us a call at 573.230.1196.